Connecting means for rafters



Dec. 30, '1930. F. L. PURDY 1,787,167

CONNECTING MEANS FOR RFTERS original Filed Dec. 7,1927

Zmventor FREDERICK L-PUR DY jimf Miam" f Patented Dec. 30, 1930 UNITEDSTATES FREDERICK I.. runny, on COLUMBUS, oHro CONNECTING MEANS FORIRALEIJIilRSV Application filed December 7, 1927, Serial No. 238,366.Renewed .Tune 19, 1928.

f This invention relates to rafters, its principal object being to avoidspecial bent connection where they are to be joined to the plate and theridge of hip and where two or more members meet in dierent planes. The

invention is more particularly useful in framing the roofs of steelframed dwellings where the material is light and practically all ofstandard frame units except in roofs where hips and valleys occur. Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will appear from the disclosureherein.

The invention is embodied in the example herein shown and described, thefeatures of novelty being finally claimed.

1n the accompanying drawing- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portionof roof frame showing the invention applied therein.

Fig. 2 is a detail in perspective on a larger scale showing a jackrafter connected to a hip with the joint connecting means of myinvention, one of the leaf parts being later` ally shifted.

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the joint or connecting means.

Fig. 4 is a face view of the same.

Fig. 5 is a face view of one of the leaf members of the joint.

30 Fig. 6 is a modification showing a thrust member for connecting arafter with the plate.

In the views, and referring first to Figs 1 and 5 inclusive, theconnecting member or joint includes two nearly circular leaf parts 10and 10a provided with interengaged hinge eyes connected by a pintle 11.The parts 10 and 10aM are each cut with equally spaced arcuate slots 12of somewhat more than 60 degrees length concentric with the center ofthe part. The parts 10 and 10a are each also drilled or punched with abolt hole at its center, and to each of said parts 10 and 10a is securedby means of a threaded bolt 18 and nut 14 a second and elongated leafpart 15, said bolt being passed through a hole 15a in a part 15 and thecenter hole of the circular part. When the nut 14 is loosened the part15 can be swung in a plane at right angles to the direction of 50movement of the circular parts of the hinge,

as indicated by the broken lines at the right A Vhand side of Fig. 4,and by tightening said nut the parts are held together.

The elongated leaf 15 is shown as rectangularin form at its free endwhile the pivoted end is rounded to conform generally to the form of theleaf part to which it is pivoted. 1n the leaf 15 around the hole 15a isa series of bolt holes 16 spaced equally from each other and from thecenterfhole 15a a distance 50 v equal to the radius of arcuate slots 12from the center hole of the circular parts. 'Said slots can thereforeexpose two of said holes i at one time and at least three of said holesalways coincide with the arcuate slots in 55 whatever position a leafpart may be turned to on its bolt 13. Suitable boltsand nuts can beapplied to any or all of the'holes 16 that coincide with the` arcuateslots to secure the leaves of the joint'at one side of the hinge 70firmly together and any additional or suitable and obvious means, asforexample a roughening of the contiguous faces ofthe leaves can beresorted to to augment the tightness of the connection when the nuts aretightened up. It will be observed also that the described spacing oftheholes 16 yand arcuate slots 12 admit of laterally offsetting the leaf 15as respects a line connecting the center holes of the circular leafparts of the hinge as illustrated by broken lines at the left hand sideof Fig. 4, and in Fig. 2.

The rectangular end of the leaf part 15 is provided with a series ofholes preferably in staggered arrangement for bolting the joint to therespective parts to be connected.

From the construction shown it will be observed that the hinge is ineffect universally Vadjustable and can be applied to the rafters and tothe ridges and hips in all or A nearly all the peculiar relations whichthey may bear to each other.

To provide a sturdy thrust bearing at the base of the rafter whereitconnects with the plate and for use in connection with my inventionthe construction shown in Fig. 6 can be adopted. In this case the deviceconsists of a base member 20 perforated to be bolted to the plate 21 andhaving at one end an upstanding portion 22 to which the rafter 23 is 100bolted by bolt 24 and an arcuate slot 25 concentric with the bolt 24through which slot 25 and a hole in the rafter another bolt can besecured. In this construction the proper pitch and alinement of therafters can be obtained by oscillation of the hinge leaves on the bolt24 and then both bolts secured to hold the rafter firmly in position.

The use of the universal connections per- 'mits of the properinclination and alinement of the rafters and will eliminatethe need ofany specially shop-fabricated connections.

The only field Work necessary after the joint has been assembled beingthe drilling .of

holes in the light rafters and this can be quicklyd-one With a screwpunch. The vertical pivot of the universal connectiontransfers the endshear from the end of one rafter to some point on the hip or ridgerafter and Will make a good stiff joint When tightened up. Y The formsof the parts can be changed Without departing from the gist of theinvention as claimed. l

What I claim is l. Means for connecting a rafter to a roof frame memberincluding leaves for attach- (ment to the rafter and frame memberrespectively, universally adjustable means con- Y nectng said leaves,and means for securing said leaves in adjustment with regard to theframe and the rafter respectively.

2. Means for connecting a rafter to a roof frame member including leavesfor attachment to the rafter and frame member respectively anduniversally adjustable means connecting `said leaves Jfor securing themin adjustment With regard to the rafter, one portion of said universallyadjustable means connecting said leaves adjustable laterally onthe leafwith which it is connected.

' 3. Means for connecting a rafter to a roof framev member includingleaves for attachment to the rafter and frame member respectively anduniversally adjustable means connecting said leaves for securing them inadjustment With regard to the rafter and matchable holes in one of saidleaves and one portion of said universally adjustable means forpermitting lateral adjustment of said parts in relation to each otherand means in said holes for securing said parts in such laterallyadjusted relation.

FREDERICK L. PURDY.

